In this module, you learned about the five key principles of the Cost Optimization pillar in the Azure Well-Architected Framework.

A cost-optimized workload is not necessarily a low-cost workload. There are important trade-offs. Quick fixes can deliver short-term savings, but for sustainable savings, you need a solid strategy. This strategy should include prioritization, continuous monitoring, and repeatable processes focused on optimization.

By aligning business requirements with technology needs, you can adjust costs. But expect trade-offs in areas such as security, scalability, resilience, and operability. If the cost of addressing challenges in these areas is high and these principles are not properly applied, you might make risky choices in favor of cheaper solutions. These choices can harm your objectives or your reputation.

Learn more
To deepen your understanding of workload cost optimization, see the following articles:

• Design principles for cost optimization
• Cost optimization design checklist
• Trade-offs related to cost optimization
• Cloud design patterns that promote cost optimization